This slow cooker chicken recipe for Chinese bourbon chicken is so saucy and perfect for serving over rice!
Alright, guys. I’ve been hearing your requests for more slow cooker recipes, so I knew I had to go big or go home.
You guys are going to just LOVE this Chinese bourbon chicken! It’s outrageously good, packed with flavor – sweet, spicy, savory goodness in here! – and did I mention that it’s super easy? You just toss a bunch of things in a slow cooker, stir it up, add some chicken, and boom. Dinnah time.
When I was a kid they had a version of Bourbon St. Chicken at this local buffet we liked to visit.
It was one of my favorite things to eat there, partially because it was so good and partially because it made my 11 year old self feel fancy for eating bourbon chicken. Totally thought I’d end up drunk. 😉
Turns out, there’s actually no bourbon in bourbon chicken. I’ll explain…
Bourbon chicken recipe without bourbon?? Read on to find out why…
I know this is called bourbon chicken, but that’s because this dish (well, a similar dish anyway) originated on Bourbon Street in New Orleans!
If you want to add bourbon to this, you go right ahead.
I’d add in a quarter cup (in the beginning if you want it to mellow out or at the end with the corn starch if you want a stronger flavor and like to get drunk off your dinner) and increase the corn starch by a half teaspoon. Easy peasy.
To be clear, I haven’t tested either, but I’m fairly certain both options would work wonderfully. 😉
I’m calling this Chinese bourbon chicken, just so you get an idea of the flavor profile. It’s a bit teriyaki-ish. It’s not authentic Asian food by any means, but it has a similar vibe. For me, this totally satisfies that take-out urge.
You could even serve it over my bacon fried rice if you wanted.
I used about two teaspoons of sriracha in this recipe and it had a nice kick to it. You can decrease if your kiddos don’t like spice and just squirt some on each individual serving. I wouldn’t leave it out completely as it does add a nice balance to the flavors. Alternately, red pepper flakes or sambal oelek would make a great swap if you don’t have sriracha on hand.
For more slow cooker goodness, check out my slow cooker chicken tacos and French dip! My mashed potatoes in the crockpot aren’t too shabby either (they have cheese and bacon, so actually they’re AMAZING.)
And, because I’m always asked about which slow cooker I use – it’s the Ninja! I love it and highly recommend it. You can check it (and all the good reviews) out right here!
Let me know what you think of this crock pot bourbon chicken if you give it a try!
Bourbon Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 sweet onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 3/4 cup honey
- 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 teaspoons sriracha
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons water
- 2 teaspoons corn starch
- 4 cups hot cooked rice for serving
- green onions for serving
Instructions
- Add the onion, garlic, honey, soy sauce, ketchup, sriracha, and salt to a slow cooker. Stir well to combine.
- Add the chicken breasts to the sauce and stir to coat both sides.
- Cover and cook on low for 4 hours or high for 2 1/2 hours.
- Shred the chicken with two forks and stir well.
- Dissolve the corn starch in the water and add to the slow cooker. Return slow cooker to high heat for 20 minutes or remove to a pan on the stove over medium heat and cook until sauce has thickened over medium heat, about 5 minutes.
- Serve over rice with green onions.
Tips & Notes:
Nutrition Information:
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Carrie | Carrie's Experimental Kitchen says
I don’t use my slow cooker nearly enough so I was so glad I saw this recipe. It looks fantastic and can’t wait for my family and I to try it!
mira says
Love bourbon chicken and this looks so easy to make and delicious! Pinning to try it asap!
Karly says
Hope you love it!
Deb says
I was wondering could I use it on sandwich buns like a sloppy Joe, or would it be too runny?
Karly says
It works great for sandwiches! Just use a slotted spoon or tongs to scoop the chicken out, so you don’t get a ton of sauce.
Bon@TastyKitchenn says
Waow! This dish looks absolutely amazing! My husband really loves Bourbon Chicken. Can’t wait to give this recipe a try.
Maureen says
I just made this. A lot of times the slow cooker makes the meat taste bland but not this recipe!!!Â
The sauce is full of flavor!!!! Great use of leftover Chinese take out white rice. I defiantly WILL make this again!!
Karly says
So glad to hear that! 🙂
trish says
Totally my kind of food – sweet, salty, with a little bit of spice… and of course, rice! Recipe pinned! 🙂
Kate says
Yum!! My husband LOVES bourbon chicken (and I love how easy this recipe is!). This is going on my to-make list.
Alia @ Everyday Easy Eats says
This looks and sounds delicious! It reminds me that I need to start using my slow cooker again! 🙂
Michelle Contini says
I am getting ready to try this right now– any idea what I should do if I have frozen chicken breasts? Maybe 6 hours? Or thaw them?
Karly says
Sorry for the delay!! I’m assuming you already went ahead with the recipe, but I think 4 hours on high or 8 hours on low would be fine. You just want the meat cooked through and easily shreddable. 🙂
Tricia @ Saving Room for Dessert says
I could eat this any time of the day and be a happy girl!  Beautiful recipe Karly 🙂
Karly says
Thanks, Tricia!
Adrienne | Appetites Anonymous says
You had me at bourbon… 🙂
Kelli @ Hungry Hobby says
This looks delicious! Every time I see a slow cooker recipe I now think of the instant pot that I just bougth that I’m scared of….
Karly says
I’m definitely trying this in the Instant Pot. I think it’d work great.
Kimberly @ Berly's Kitchen says
I bet this tastes AWESOME! We love a good slow cooker chicken meal but have never thought to use bourbon. Amazing idea!
Mindy says
They still have it at our local buffet, but I’m positive yours is way better! This is going on my list of things to make when my daughter and son-in-law are over for dinner (they love anything with sriracha in it). I know it will be a hit and I can start it before they arrive so it will be ready when we are. I love seeing your videos on my facebook feed, by the way!
Tanya says
Bourbon is a street? Who knew! I guess some bourbon in my dinner is never a bad idea too :)Looks delicious!
Lexi @ Sempre Dolce says
Oh my goodness, this has all the things I love: easy prep, sriracha, a good amount of sauce… Definitely need to make this – pinning!